Oral Thrush In Newborns

Thrush is a fungal infection (Candida albicans) which thrives on broken skin and in warm, moist conditions. It can be passed between mother and baby, and can often be triggered by antibioticdefine use in mother or baby. It can also occur after damage to the nipple.

Indications of thrush

• A sudden start and/or nipple pain after days or weeks of pain-free breastfeeding. The nipple may also be itchy or super-sensitive.

• Shooting pains in the breast after feeding.

• Cracked nipples that don’t heal.

• Nipples which are unusually red or pale, shiny or flaky in appearance.

• Pain in both breasts (except in the very early stages) because the baby transfers the infection.

• Baby may have a white coating on the tongue, gums, and inner cheeks which doesn’t rub off.

• Baby may seem unhappy or uncomfortable feeding, because of baby’s mouth sores.

• Baby may have more wind than usual and be difficult to settle.

• Baby may have a nappy rash which doesn’t heal.

Either mother or baby may have thrush without showing any symptoms; however, both will always need to be treated to solve the problem.

It’s easy to confuse the symptoms of thrush with other problems. Other possible causes of pain include eczemadefine, tongue-tie in baby, white spot or bleb, and bacterial infection (this may be present at the same time as thrush).

Thrush will need anti-fungal treatment for both mother and baby at the same time. This will usually involve a cream for application on nipples and a gel to apply to the baby’s mouth. For deeper pain within the breasts, oral medications will be required. Pain generally begins to ease after three days.

Self help measures to be adopted include;

• Milk expressed when thrush is present should not be used as it can cause re-infection.

• It baby is sucking on a dummy, bottle teat, nipple shield or plastic toys, it must be ensured that these are carefully washed and sterilized.

• Thrush spores can survive the low temperature cycles used in most washing machines. So undergarments should be washed at very high temperatures.

• Using a separate towel for each member of the family helps in avoiding cross infection.